Also in the news . . .

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the US Department of Justice are investigating statements made by Excel Technology (Hauppauge, NY) in proposals submitted to the NSF and other governmental agencies for Small Business Innovation Research grants obtained by Excel during 19851990. . . . David Hardwick was named general manager of Melles Griot`s North American operations, effective Oct. 1. Hardwick had been president of Polytec PI Inc. (Costa Mesa, CA) since 1991. . . . Leonard C. DeBenedictis, vice president and general manager of Coherent Medical (Palo Alto, CA), resigned from both positions to "pursue other opportunities." James Hobart, chairman and CEO of Coherent Medical, has taken over DeBenedictis`s responsibilities; the company is not actively seeking a new general manager. . . . Jan Melles, cofounder of Melles Griot and president of Photonics Investments B.V. (Netherlands), has joined the Synrad (Bothell, WA) board of directors as part of the company`s continuing efforts to expand into markets requiring electrooptics products and components.